Predicting the Patriots’ season, game by game

In a dismal AFC East, but still with a slate of tough AFC contenders to combat, the Patriots’ schedule is part cakewalk and part walk of fire. So how will it all go down? How will the Patriots fare in the 2013 season?

In a wild attempt at foretelling the future, one in which I readily admit will change as the season progresses, I offer my predictions for every single Patriots game this season. Take a look.
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Gary Wiepert / AP file photo

Week 1: at Buffalo Bills

The Patriots have won nine of their last 10 games and 18 of their last 20 against the Bills. Buffalo has a new coach, Doug Marrone, and a new quarterback, E.J. Manuel. But they don't have enough to beat the Patriots.

The Jets will likely still be working through issues on offense while depending on rookie quarterback Geno Smith on a short week. This for a team with so many problems that are generated from the quarterback position.

With the return of coach Sean Payton to the sideline, the Saints are expected to be a much more crisp team. But they still have holes on defense, particularly at linebacker and in the secondary. This one should be a shootout.

At this point in the season, second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill will have either proven his worth, or showed his flaws. The Dolphins have talent on defense, particularly defensive end Cameron Wake. But this is the time of year at the Patriots hit their stride.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is in year two with offensive coordinator Todd Haley. A comfortable pairing of the two should make for more fortuitous season than in 2012 in which the Steelers finished 21st overall on offense. But they lost a big piece on defense with James Harrison’s defection to Cincinnati.

After a bye in Week 10 of the NFL season, the Patriots will finally be exposed to the read option offense with dynamic Panthers quarterback Cam Newton at the helm. But Carolina has a number of issues it needs to patch up before it can be expected to hang with an AFC contender like the Patriots.

Peyton Manning, Wes Welker, and the Denver Broncos come to Gillette Stadium in another late season matchup that will surely have implications for the AFC playoff picture. Broncos linebacker Von Miller should be available for the game and cornerback Champ Bailey, whom Bill Belichick is fond of, will be healthy by then as well.

Unlike last season, the Texans could have some key players back on the field instead of sidelined with injuries when they host the Patriots. It’ll be a rematch of last season’s AFC divisional playoff game. But don’t expect much to change so long as Matt Schaub is at quarterback. He was puzzled by the Patriots’ defense.

With Brandon Weeden at quarterback, the Browns are still in a rebuilding mode. They’re lucky to have a stout running back in Trent Richardson and have improved on defense with veteran linebacker Paul Kruger. They’re still outmatched, but this could be the first hint of a “trap” game.

Again, this is another opportunity for the Patriots to steamroll through an AFC East opponent. But the Dolphins, with talent throughout their roster, are more likely to get improved play from a young roster, namely quarterback Ryan Tannehill, at this point in the season. It just won’t be enough for a Patriots team that cruises during the final weeks of the regular season. Yet this will reek of another “trap” game, your second dose.

There will be memories of last season’s AFC Championship game, and motivation to revenge the Patriots’ loss. But the result of this game will be dependent on the Patriots’ ability to learn from past mistakes, mostly allowing Torrey Smith to run wild in the secondary. Unfortunately, he’s not the only breakout receiver they need to watch for against the Joe Flacco-led Ravens.